Support Teacher Empowerment Trust (STET)

The Support Teacher Empowerment Trust (STET) is a South African non-profit trust that empowers black South African women through education, technology and mentorship. STET was founded in 2015 and describes its mission as creating pathways to economic independence and leadership for black women.

Registered name

Support Teacher Empowerment Trust (STET)

Type

Non-profit trust (education and technology for black women)

Fields funded

Teaching qualifications, especially STEM, coding, robotics and ICT teaching

Website

stet.co.za

From supporting women teachers to wider programmes

STET says it began as a small initiative to support women teachers and has grown into an organisation that reaches thousands of people across South Africa each year. STET now runs coding academies, bursary schemes, mentorship programmes and technology training. STET’s vision is a South Africa where every woman has equal access to quality education and technology.

Why teachers who can teach technology matter

South Africa has a shortage of confident, digitally capable teachers in mathematics, science, coding and robotics, and many under-resourced schools have few teachers able to introduce learners to technology. STET’s bursary aims to close that gap and narrow the digital divide in poorer schools, while using teaching as a route to opportunity for black women, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

The Department of Basic Education has been introducing coding and robotics into the school curriculum, which increases demand for teachers who understand these subjects. A teacher who can teach mathematics well and use technology in class can shape hundreds of learners’ futures over a career.

The STET bursary

STET’s bursary funds undergraduate study for black female students entering the teaching profession, with emphasis on STEM subjects such as coding, robotics, ICT, mathematics and science. STET pairs funding with structured mentorship and skills development, positioning the bursary as long-term teacher development rather than a once-off grant.

Unclear dates

Listings give a closing date of 30 September 2026 for the 2027 programme, but the 2026 round closed on 5 January 2026, so the timing appears to vary. BursariesAfrica could not confirm the 2027 date with STET directly, and STET’s website offered little detail on the bursary when checked on 15 September 2026.

How to research STET

Look for STET’s official bursary call and application link on its website and social media, and use only those channels. Ask STET which universities and teaching qualifications qualify, what the mentorship involves, and whether bursars must teach in particular schools after qualifying. Learn about the coding and robotics curriculum so you can explain how you would teach it.

Future teachers should also apply for the government’s Funza Lushaka bursary at the same time.

See our Education Bursaries and the Funza Lushaka bursary.